STEREOPHONICS drummer Stuart Cable is consulting lawyers about his sacking from the band.

STEREOPHONICS drummer Stuart Cable is consulting lawyers about his sacking from the band.

Cable last night said he was "stunned" to receive a phone call from the superstar Welsh band's lead singer and former best friend Kelly Jones saying he was out.

Jones said he had taken the "heartbreaking" decision to axe Cable because of "commitment" issues.

But Cable hit back, claiming Kelly and bass guitarist Richard Jones had told him to take time off from the US leg of the tour to recover from a minor operation to remove an abscess.

Cable said, "I'm a founder member of the Stereophonics and I would like to stress that I did not leave nor ever had any intention of leaving the band.

"As has been published, I underwent a minor operation whilst in the US and was unable to play two of the gigs. My doctor subsequently told me I was able to continue the US tour. However, Kelly and Richard suggested I return to the UK to recuperate for the forthcoming UK and European tours.

"Last Monday evening, Richard and Kelly telephoned me from the US and I was stunned to be told that they had decided to sack me. I still want to continue to be a part of the Stereophonics.

"I am, and have always been, a fully committed member of the Stereophonics and am very upset that Kelly seems to be saying that I was not committed to the band.

"I have now been put in the unfortunate position where I have had to place this matter in the hands of my lawyers."

Kelly Jones put out a statement on the band's website about Cable, who is dating TV presenter Lisa Rodgers. He said, "Me and Stuart started a band when I was 12. Emotionally to me this is heartbreaking.

"I love him like a brother, but commitment-wise there have been issues. We've tried resolving them but things stayed the same. Myself and Richard miss Stuart already, a band is like a gang and a lot of time he simply wasn't there."